Document and Entity Information Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Entity Address, Address Line One	520 Zang Street, Suite D
Entity Address, City or Town	Broomfield,
Entity Address, State or Province	CO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80021
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Registrant Name	NOODLES & COMPANY
Entity Central Index Key	0001275158
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35987
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Tax Identification Number	84-1303469
City Area Code	720
Local Phone Number	214-1900
Trading Symbol	NDLS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Common Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,122,121